According to an inscription later erected by Shalmaneser, he had started his annual campaign, leaving Nineveh on the 14th day of Iyar.

Although some scholars have argued that Israel under king Ahab would not have been able to muster a force of 2,000 chariots, there is some archeological evidence that supports the biblical account.

Archeological excavations conducted by The Oriental Institute at Tel Meggido uncovered a large complex of stables.

The stables they uncovered housed 150 chariots and were dated to the 9th century BCE, which would align with the reign of King Ahab.

[9] Archaeologist Nadav Na'aman believes it to be a scribal error in regard to the size of Ahab's army and suggested that he sent 200 instead of 2,000 chariots.

The Battle according to Shalmaneser:With the supreme forces which Aššur, my lord, had given me and with the mighty weapons which the divine standard, which goes before me, had granted me, I fought with them.

If Shalmaneser had won a clear victory at Qarqar, it did not immediately lead to further Assyrian conquests in Syria.